SCAN highlights School of Communications alumni who recently landed jobs in their field. Assistant Professor Gary Ford recently interviewed Andrew Scherer (BA, Broadcast Journalism, 2003), a morning producer at WGEM-TV in Quincy, Ill.

SCAN: How did you land your job?
Andrew Scherer: I registered for a Web site called TVJOBS.com—almost every television station in country post jobs on this site. I sent resumes to places that sounded good and places that didn't sound so good. I wanted to hear feedback from anyone.

SCAN: Any funny interview stories to share?
AS: Not sure if it’s funny, but on the job interview that got me this job. I was called on a Monday afternoon, drove up two hours the next day and was offered a job at the end of the interview. I accepted the job on the next day. Things can happen quickly.

SCAN: Any advice for those looking for a job?
AS: Don't give up…don’t get discouraged…keep trying…you must be proactive. Also, develop contacts; I had a couple of job leads/offers from contacts. I would not have known about these without contacts. Remember, many of Webster’s professors are either former or current members of the field. Make relationships with them—they can be very helpful in finding a job.



SCAN: Best on-the-job experience so far?
AS: Meeting a variety of people. I’ve met a lot of interesting people, some movers and shakers of the community. It makes the job very interesting.

SCAN: Worst?
AS: Dealing with people’s egos.

SCAN: Person you most admire in your field?
AS: I’m not sure if there is a particular person.

SCAN: Company you’d kill to work for?
AS: I don’t know if I would kill for it—but probably a network-owned-and-operated station of any of the Big 4 (NBC-Universal, CBS-Viacom, FOX-NewsCorp. and ABC-Disney.)

SCAN: Which Web site is your home away from “Home”?
AS: There is no particular Web site. But I check a lot of news-related Web sites everyday. Also check in with industry-related Web sites to keep up on trends.

SCAN: Best way to fuel creativity?
AS: Working overnights, the best way to fuel my creativity is a couple of Diet Dr. Peppers. I also have the TV on while I’m working.

SCAN: How many hours a week do you work?
AS: Well it’s suppose to be 40—but I find myself working a little more than that.



SCAN: Favorite fringe benefit of your job?
AS: I’m pretty much by myself most of my shift. It’s not that I'm anti-social—but you don’t have to deal with a lot of the office politics. And management is not around—that's a plus!

SCAN: Is your current salary more or less than you expected to be making at this point?
AS: I was always realistic about the pay in this business—especially while starting out—but, for the market size I’m in, the pay is better than I expected.

SCAN: Any bumper stickers on your car?
AS: Just got a different car—forgot to take my Webster decal off the old one.

SCAN: What's on your iPod?
AS: I don’t have one—am I really that behind on the times?

SCAN: Last movie you saw?
AS: The Longest Yard.

SCAN: Thing you miss most about Webster?
AS: I miss my friends, hanging out around Webster. Quincy reminds me a lot of Webster Groves—big-old historic homes, a place where you can walk to the grocery store. The only difference is that Webster Groves is surrounded by a huge metropolitan area, whereas Quincy is surrounded by corn and wheat fields.

Did you just land a job in your field?
E-mail scan@webster.edu and tell us about it.

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